RESUMO
Objective To investigate use of sedative and hypnotics agents in urban community residents aged 60 years and over in Shanghai. Methods A cross-sectional study on use of sedative and hypnotics agents was conducted in 2248 residents aged 60 years and over in Jing' an community of Shanghai during July to October 2005 with questionnaire. Results Overall prevalence of use of sedative and hypnotics agents was 15.8% (355/2248), 7.3% (165/2248) for consecutive use and 6.2% (140/2248) for long-term consecutive use, respectively, which increased with age (P < 0.05). Prevalence of use of sedative and hypnotics agents, whatever consecutive use or long-term consecutive use was significantly higher in women than that in men [18.7 % (224/1303) vs. 11.7% (111/945), P<0.01; 8.3 % (108/1303) vs. 6.0% (57/945), P < 0.05 ; or 7. 3% (95/1303) vs. 4. 8% (45/945), P < 0.05]. Use of benzodiazepinos accounted for 90. 0 % (126/140) in those with long-term consecutive use. About 93.8 % (333/355) of sedative and hypnotic agents were prescribed by medical doctors. Conclusiong In general, prevalence of sedative and hypnotics agents use in the aged residents of community is higher, mainly with benzodiazepines. There are a few problems about their unreasonable use in women and attention should be paid to it.